Infrared ray detecting type imaging device

ABSTRACT

An imaging device comprises a select line, a first signal line crossing the select line, and a first pixel provided at a portion corresponding to a crossing portion of the select line and the first signal line, the first pixel comprising a first buffer layer formed on a substrate, a first bolometer film formed on the first buffer layer, made of a compound which undergoes metal-insulator transition, and generating a first temperature detection signal, a first switching element formed on the substrate, selected by a select signal from the select line, and supplying the first temperature detection signal to the first signal line, and a metal wiring connecting a top surface of the first bolometer film to the first switching element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-81795, filed Mar. 22,2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging device and a method ofmanufacturing the same, and more particularly to an infrared raydetecting type imaging device (an infrared imaging device) and a methodof manufacturing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

An infrared imaging device is proposed, in which a bolometer film isformed on a semiconductor substrate on which a circuit includingtransistor and wiring and the like is formed. This device detects aninfrared ray for each pixel by making use of change of a resistancevalue of the bolometer film depending on temperature, and reads thedetected signal by way of the transistor. In the conventional infraredimaging device, first, a circuit portion including a transistor and ametal wiring such as an aluminum wiring is formed on a semiconductorsubstrate, and then a bolometer film is formed thereon.

In such an infrared imaging device, however, the process temperaturewhen forming a bolometer film must be about 450° C. or less, preferablyabout 400° C. or less. If the process temperature is higher, the metalwiring such as an aluminum wiring deteriorates. Further, by heattreatment at high temperature of about 800° C. or more, the transistorcharacteristic also deteriorates. Conventional films such as vanadiumoxide films can be formed at relatively low temperature, and there is noproblem, but when a material requiring to be formed at high temperatureis used as a bolometer film, the metal wiring and transistorsdeteriorate. Therefore, in the conventional infrared imaging device,materials usable for the bolometer film are limited.

Hitherto, moreover, there are undulations due to wiring steps andcontact holes beneath the bolometer film since the metal wiring and thelike are formed on a lower side of the bolometer film. At thesepositions of steps and contact holes, the bolometer film has crystaldisturbance and grain boundary, which causes noise or characteristicdeterioration.

Therefore, in the conventional infrared imaging device, since thebolometer film must be formed at a relatively low temperature, materialsfor the bolometer film are limited. Besides, by the undulations existingbeneath the bolometer film, noise and characteristic deterioration arecaused. It was hence difficult to obtain an infrared imaging device ofhigh performance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention, there is provided an imaging devicecomprising: a select line; a first signal line crossing the select line;and a first pixel provided at a portion corresponding to a crossingportion of the select line and the first signal line; the first pixelcomprising: a first buffer layer formed on a substrate; a firstbolometer film formed on the first buffer layer, made of a compoundwhich undergoes metal-insulator transition, and generating a firsttemperature detection signal; a first switching element formed on thesubstrate, selected by a select signal from the select line, andsupplying the first temperature detection signal to the first signalline; and a metal wiring connecting a top surface of the first bolometerfilm to the first switching element.

A second aspect of the invention, there is provided an imaging devicecomprising: a first select line; a first signal line crossing the firstselect line; a first pixel provided at a portion corresponding to acrossing portion of the first select line and the first signal line, thefirst pixel comprising a first bolometer film generating a firsttemperature detection signal, and a first switching element selected bya first select signal from the first select line and supplying the firsttemperature detection signal to the first signal line; a second signalline crossing the first select line; a second pixel provided at aportion corresponding to a crossing portion of the first select line andthe second signal line, the second pixel comprising a second bolometerfilm generating a second temperature detection signal, and a secondswitching element selected by the first select signal and supplying thesecond temperature detection signal to the second signal line; and acontrol circuit controlling a width of the first select signal inaccordance with the second temperature detection signal.

A third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method ofmanufacturing an imaging device, comprising: forming a buffer layer on asubstrate; forming a bolometer film made of a compound which undergoesmetal-insulator transition, on the buffer layer; forming a switchingelement on the substrate after forming the bolometer film; and forming ametal wiring to connect the bolometer film to the switching elementafter forming the bolometer film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of an infrared imagingdevice according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a sectional structure of a pixel of theinfrared imaging device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a plane structure of the pixel of the infraredimaging device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are views showing a method of manufacturing aninfrared imaging device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a sectional structure of a pixel in a modifiedexample of the infrared imaging device according to the embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a sectional structure of a pixel in anothermodified example of the infrared imaging device according to theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a circuit structure of an entire infraredimaging device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing signal waveforms of the circuit shown in FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the driving principle of the infrared imagingdevice according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a molecular beam epitaxy apparatus foruse in manufacturing the infrared imaging device according to theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing temperature dependence of resistivity andtemperature dependence of TCR, in the bolometer film of the infraredimaging device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing substrate temperature dependence of TCR whenusing a LaAlO₃ substrate, in the bolometer film of the infrared imagingdevice according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing O₃/Ni supply ratio dependence of TCR, in thebolometer film of the infrared imaging device according to theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing Ni/Sm composition ratio dependence of TCR, inthe bolometer film of the infrared imaging device according to theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing annealing temperature dependence of XRDintensity, in the bolometer film of the infrared imaging deviceaccording to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing oxygen partial pressure dependence of XRDintensity, in the bolometer film of the infrared imaging deviceaccording to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a view showing temperature dependence of resistivity andtemperature dependence of TCR, in the bolometer film of the infraredimaging device according to the embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First of all, general matters about the embodiment of the invention willbe described below.

The performance of a bolometer film is generally expressed by TCR(temperature coefficient of resistance). Assuming the resistance of thebolometer film at temperature T to be R, TCR is expressed as follows.TCR=(1/R)(dR/dT)For infrared detection at higher sensitivity than before, it should bepreferably |TCR|>3%/K, and more preferably |TCR|>4%/K. For lower costand higher resolution, the pixel pitch should be smaller than before,for example, about 15 μm. However, when the pixel pitch is reduced, theincident thermal energy in one pixel is reduced. As a result, thesensitivity is lowered, and the value of NETD (noise equivalenttemperature difference) increases. When using the bolometer film in ahigh sensitivity infrared camera, the NETD value is preferred to be 60to 100 mK. To achieve the NETD value of 60 to 100 mK at the pixel pitchof 15 μm, it is difficult with the conventional vanadium oxide bolometerfilm. That is, to achieve the NETD value of 60 to 100 mK at the pixelpitch of 15 μm, the bolometer sensitivity must be not less than twotimes higher than conventional one. Besides, since the bolometertemperature is raised more than the room temperature by the pulse biascurrent when measuring the bolometer resistance, it is preferred torealize |TCR|>3%/K in a temperature range of 300 to 350 K.

Bolometer materials having such characteristic include compound crystalsshowing metal-insulator transition, in particular, the following twotypes of compound crystals.

(1) RNiO_(3-d) (where R is at least one element selected from Pr, Nd,Sm, Eu and Bi, and d is a value showing deviation from the stoichiometryof oxygen, which is usually −0.1≦d≦0.2). A representative example isSm_(1-x)A_(y)Ni_(y)O_(3-d) (where A is Nd or Bi, 0≦x≦0.5, 0.9<y<1.1).

(2) Ca_(2-x)Sr_(x)RuO_(4-d) (where d is a value showing deviation fromthe stoichiometry of oxygen, which is usually −0.1≦d≦0.2, 0≦x≦0.05), orCa_(2-x)RuO_(4-d) (where d is a value showing deviation from thestoichiometry of oxygen, which is usually −0.1≦d≦0.2, 0<x<0.32).

In these bolometer materials, the TCR value at around metal-insulatortransition is sufficiently large so as to obtain an infrared imagingdevice of high sensitivity. In these bolometer materials, by optimizingthe forming condition and composition, the metal-insulator transitionoccurs at a temperature suited to a non-cooled type infrared imagingdevice (T_(MI)=320 to 410 K). Herein, the T_(MI) is the metal-insulatortransition temperature, and it is defined by the temperature at whichthe sign of the TCR is changed.

In bulk SmNiO₃, metal-insulator transition occurs at T_(MI)=403 K, andthe T_(MI) is lowered when part of Sm is replaced by Nd, as disclosed byJ. B. Torrance et al. in Phys. Rev. B, 45, p. 8209 (1992). The presentinventor has succeeded in achieving metal-insulator transition at theroom temperature or more for the first time in a thin film ofRNiO_(3-d), and has made it possible to apply to the infrared imagingdevice.

As a result of experiment by using Sm_(1-x)A_(x)Ni_(y)O_(3-d) having theperovskite structure, in order to obtain |TCR|>3%/K at the roomtemperature or more, it was found that the following condition isneeded. Ultimately, a |TCR| value of more than 6%/K was obtained at theroom temperature or more.

(1) Concerning deviation of composition ratio of site A element and siteB element in the perovskite structure, 0.9<y is needed.

(2) The required film forming temperature is 550° C. or more.

(3) In the molecular beam epitaxy method, when O₃ gas is used asoxidizing gas, the O₃ flux is required to be not less than 30 times ofNi flux.

(4) When the underlying layer is SrTiO₃ or NdGaO₃, the metal-insulatortransition rarely occurs, and when the underlying layer is LaAlO₃, themetal-insulator transition is successfully obtained.

(5) The SmNi_(y)O_(3-d) film has T_(MI) of 400 to 410 K, and thetransition temperature is relatively high. By lowering the T_(MI),holding temperature of the element can be brought closer to the roomtemperature, and it is easier to use and the cost is lowered. To lowerthe T_(MI), it is found effective to replace part of Sm with Bi (A=Bi).Substitution amount x is preferred to be 0<x<0.09. Since Bi and Bi oxideare low in melting point, the process temperature can be lowered byreplacing part of Sm with Bi.

In bulk Ca₂RuO₄, metal-insulator transition occurs at T_(MI)=357 K, asdisclosed by C. S. Alexander et al. in Phys. Rev. B, 60, p. 8422 (1999).By replacing part of Ca with La or Sr, the T_(MI) and resistivity arelowered, as disclosed by G. Gao et al. in Phys. Rev. B, 61, p. 5053(2000). The present inventor has succeeded in achieving ofmetal-insulator transition for the first time in a thin film of Ca₂RuO₄,and has made it possible to apply to the infrared imaging device.

As a result of experiment by using Ca_(2-x)RuO_(4-d) having the layeredperovskite structure, in order to obtain the metal-insulator transition,it was found that the following condition is needed.

(1) When the underlying layer is SrTiO₃ or NdGaO₃, the metal-insulatortransition rarely occurs, and when the underlying layer is LaAlO₃, themetal-insulator transition is successfully obtained.

(2) First an amorphous film is formed, and then a heat treatment isperformed to obtain a desired crystal structure.

(3) To obtain a desired crystal structure, it is required to heat in amixed atmosphere of inert gas and oxygen gas of 0.05% or more and lessthan 1%, in a temperature range of 990° C. and 1050° C.

(4) Before this heat treatment, it is preferred to heat for 10 hours ormore in oxygen gas atmosphere at 700 to 800° C.

(5) Ca₂RuO₄ has a relatively high phase transition temperature ofT_(MI)=357 K. By lowering the T_(MI), holding temperature of the elementcan be brought closer to room temperature, and it is easier to use andthe cost is lowered. To lower the T_(MI), it is effective to lose partof Ca. The loss amount x is preferred to be 0<x<0.32. By lowering theT_(MI) by Ca loss, the T_(MI) can be adjusted without introducing Sr.

In these two types of bolometer materials, in order to obtain a desiredcrystal structure for achieving metal-insulator transition, a hightemperature process at 450° C. or more is needed. Accordingly, theconventional method of manufacturing an infrared imaging device couldnot be applied. In this embodiment, before forming ROIC (read-outintegrated circuit) including transistor and metal wiring on asemiconductor substrate, a bolometer film is formed. As a result, thehigh performance of these materials can be utilized.

Further, in these two materials, in order to achieve metal-insulatortransition, selection of the underlying layer is important. It ispreferred that first, a buffer layer is formed on the semiconductorsubstrate (Si substrate), and then a bolometer film is formed thereon.It is also preferred to form a buffer layer in two layers as describedbelow.

A first layer is preferably a thin film of oxide epitaxially grown on asilicon substrate. The crystal structure of this oxide is preferably theperovskite structure, fluorite structure, or C-type rare earthstructure. It is also preferred that the lattice of a first buffer layeris matched to a certain extent with the lattice of a second bufferlayer, and the lattice mismatch is preferably within ±10%. For example,the first buffer layer is SrTiO₃ (100) orientation film, CeO₂ (100)orientation film, or RE₂O₃ (100) orientation film (where RE is atrivalent rare-earth element or Y), epitaxially grown on the Si (100)substrate.

A second buffer layer is preferred to be a thin film of oxideepitaxially grown on the first buffer layer. The crystal structure ofthis oxide is preferred to belong to perovskite family. The lattice ofthe second buffer layer is preferred to be matched sufficiently with thelattice of a bolometer film, and the lattice mismatch is preferablywithin ±2.5%. For example, the second buffer layer is a LaAlO₃ film. Thethickness of the second buffer layer is preferred to be thick enough toobtain its proper lattice constant without having effect of the latticeconstant of the first buffer layer, and is preferably 50 nm or more(more preferably 100 nm or more).

In this embodiment, as the buffer layer, first, the SrTiO₃ (100)orientation film is epitaxially grown on the Si (100) substrate, andthen the LaAlO₃ (100) orientation film is grown epitaxially. Thetechnology of direct epitaxial growth of SrTiO₃ on the Si (100)substrate is disclosed, for example, by R. A, McKee et al., Phys. Rev.Lett. 81, p. 3014 (1998). The SrTiO₃ (100) orientation film functions asa seed layer for epitaxial growth of perovskite oxide on Si.Accordingly, the thickness of the SrTiO₃ (100) orientation film isenough at 3 unit cells or more, and typically it is 2 nm. The LaAlO₃(100) orientation film is required to have a surface lattice constantcloser to the lattice constant of bulk such that the lattice mismatch tothe bolometer film is a proper value. From such viewpoint, the thicknessof the LaAlO₃ (100) orientation film is preferred to be 50 nm or more,and typically it is 100 nm.

When reading a signal from the infrared imaging device, the resistanceof the bolometer film is measured by passing pulse current in thebolometer film. Assuming the hold temperature of the bolometer film tobe T_(S), the self-heating temperature dT_(S) by reading current is 3 to70 K (typically 10 to 20 K). By contrast, the temperature rise dT_(IR)by infrared ray is the order of mK. In metal-insulator transition, asshown in FIG. 11, the TCR has a temperature dependence, and thetemperature rang allowing large absolute values of TCR is narrow.Therefore, to measure at high sensitivity, the temperature T_(P) wherethe absolute value of TCR reaches the peak should be somewhere betweenT_(S) and T_(S)+dT_(S). The peak temperature T_(P) is preferred to beabout the middle point of T_(S) and T_(S)+dT_(S), or slightly closer toT_(S)+dT_(S) rather than T_(S). To satisfy such condition, the pulsewidth of reading current is preferred to be adjusted in every device orin every line within the device. The device is preferred to incorporatea pixel not sensitive to infrared ray (insensitive pixel). In this case,the resistance change of the bolometer film in the insensitive pixel isdetected, and the reading pulse width in ordinary pixel is determined onthe basis of the detection signal. As a result, it is possible to detectalways near the peak temperature T_(P), and an imaging device of highsensitivity is realized.

To detect at high sensitivity in an infrared imaging device, the pulsecurrent is preferred to be 10 to 100 μA, and the voltage generated bythe detection pulse is preferred to be 1 to 10V. Therefore, theresistance value of the bolometer film in one pixel is preferably 10 to100 kΩ. As shown in FIG. 11, the resistivity ofSm_(1-x)A_(x)Ni_(Y)O_(3-d) is about 5×10⁻⁴ to 5×10⁻³ Ωcm. A properthickness of the bolometer film from the view points of sharpmetal-insulator transition and proper thermal conductance is in a rangeof 30 to 200 nm, and it is typically 50 nm. Therefore, in order that thelength/width ratio of the bolometer film may be 10 to 1000, as shown inFIG. 3 later, the bolometer film is preferred to be processed in ameandering shape. In the example shown later, the length/width ratio isabout 47. In the example of Ca_(2-x)Sr_(x)RuO_(4-d) shown in FIG. 17,the resistivity is about 4×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻² Ωcm. A proper thickness of thebolometer film from the view points of sharp metal-insulator transitionand proper thermal conductance is in a range of 30 to 200 nm, and it istypically 80 nm. It is hence desired to process the bolometer film in ameandering shape such that the length/width ratio of the bolometer is 8to 200.

Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the invention aredescribed in detail below.

FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a non-cooled type infraredimaging device of the embodiment. Each pixel portion has a temperaturedetecting portion (heat sensitive portion) 41 using a bolometer film,and a MIS transistor (switching element) 42. A select line 43 isconnected to the gate of each transistor 42 provided in the rowdirection, and a read line (signal line) 44 is connected to the drain ofeach transistor 42 provided in the column direction.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pixel portion of the infrared imagingdevice.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, an insulating layer 12 is formed on asilicon substrate (semiconductor substrate) 11 which is a supportsubstrate, and a silicon layer (semiconductor layer) 13 is formed on theinsulating layer 12, thereby composing a so-called SOI substrate.Further, a buffer layer 14 of an insulating layer is formed on thesilicon layer 13, and a bolometer film 15 is formed on the buffer layer14. The bolometer film 15 is formed by using any of the materialsmentioned above, that is, Sm_(1-x)A_(x)Ni_(y)O_(3-d),Ca_(2-x)Sr_(x)RuO_(4-d), or Ca_(2-x)RuO_(4-d). The buffer layer 14 is astacked film of SrTiO₃ and LaAlO₃.

Beneath the bolometer film 15, a hollow space 16 is formed by removingpart of the silicon substrate 11. This hollow space 16 is for thermallyisolating the bolometer film 15. A MIS transistor portion (MIStransistor forming region) 17 is provided on the silicon layer 13. Ametal wiring (for example, Al wiring) 18 is connected to one end of thebolometer film 15, and by this metal wiring 18, the bolometer film 15and the source of the MIS transistor 17 are connected with each other.The other end of the bolometer film 15 is grounded by way of the metalwiring 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the metal wiring 18 contacts with the top of thebolometer film 15. That is, the bolometer 15 has been already formedbefore forming the metal wiring. Accordingly, unlike the prior art, thebolometer film is not formed on the steps or undulations of the metalwiring, but is formed on a flat surface of the buffer layer 14. It ishence free from disorder of crystal or grain boundary in the bolometerfilm due to steps or undulations. Therefore, the bolometer filmexcellent in crystallinity is obtained, and occurrence of noise anddeterioration of characteristic can be prevented.

FIG. 3 shows a plane structure of the pixel portion of the infraredimaging device having the basic structure as shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 is a SOI substrate, 22 is a hollowpattern, 23 is a meandering bolometer film pattern, 24 is a MIStransistor portion (MIS transistor forming region), and 25 to 28 arewirings. The wiring 26 is for connecting between one end of thebolometer film 23 and source of the MIS transistor 24. The wiring 25 isfor grounding the other end of the bolometer film 23. The wiring 27corresponds to a select line, and is connected to the gate of the MIStransistor 24. The wiring 28 corresponds to a read line (signal line),and is connected to the drain of the MIS transistor 24.

The size of one pixel is, for example, about 50 μm×50 μm to 15 μm×15 μm.A smaller chip area leads to reduction of cost, and there is anincreasing demand for high resolution and multiple pixels, thereby thesize of one pixel is preferred to be about 15 μm×15 μm. Since thewavelength of the infrared ray to be detected is about 8 to 14 μm, it ismeaningless to define the pixel pitch of 10 μm or less from theviewpoint of diffraction limit. The number of pixels is, for example,320×240, and 640×480, for example, where a high resolution is demanded.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the bolometer film portion (detecting portion)and transistor portion are formed adjacently to each other, the rate ofthe detecting portion area to the pixel area (fill factor) becomessmaller. In the example in FIG. 3, the fill factor is about 25%. Whenthe fill factor drops, the sensitivity decreases. To compensate for thisloss, it is effective to form an infrared ray absorption portion ofumbrella structure above the substrate in every pixel. This is disclosedin Japanese Patent No. 3040356. By employing this technology, the fillfactor can be improved to 90% or more, nearly to 100%, and an infraredimaging device of high sensitivity is obtained.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C show a method of manufacturing the infrared imagingdevice shown in FIG. 2.

First, as shown in FIG. 4A, on the SOI substrate composed of the siliconsubstrate 11, insulating film 12 and silicon layer 13, the buffer layer14 (stacked film of SrTiO₃/LaAlO₃) is grown epitaxially. In succession,on the buffer layer 14, the bolometer film 15 (usingSm_(1-x)A_(x)Ni_(y)O_(3-d), Ca_(2-x)Sr_(x)RuO_(4-d), orCa_(2-x)RuO_(4-d)) is formed in a high temperature process as mentionedabove.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the bolometer film 15 and buffer layer 14 areprocessed in a required shape. Further, the transistor 17 is formed onthe silicon layer 13, and further the metal wiring (for example, Alwiring) 18 is formed. By this metal wiring 18, the bolometer film 15 andtransistor 17 are connected with each other.

As shown in FIG. 4C, part of the silicon substrate 11 is removed byanisotropic etching, the hollow space 16 having such a pattern thatincludes the pattern of the bolometer film 15. At this time, theinsulating layer 12 functions as an etching stopper.

In this embodiment, the bolometer film 15 is formed in the hightemperature process as mentioned above, and this bolometer film 15 isformed before formation of the transistor 17 and metal wiring 18.Accordingly, the transistor 17 and metal wiring 18 are not exposed tohigh temperature in the process of forming the bolometer film 15.Therefore, when the material requiring high film forming temperature isused in the bolometer film, unlike the prior art, it is free fromdeterioration of metal wiring or transistor characteristic, so that aninfrared imaging device excellent in performance is obtained.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the infrared imaging device in theembodiment of the invention. Basically it is same as explained above,except that a bulk Si substrate 10 is used instead of the SOI substrate.In this example, the buffer layer 14 is used as an etching stopper whenforming the hollow space 16 by anisotropic etching. The anisotropicetching is performed by a wet etching process using tetramethyl ammoniumhydroxide or the like as an etchant. When the buffer layer 14 is used asan etching stopper, a thick buffer layer is needed in order to supportthe hollow structure. Hence, the thickness of the buffer layer 14 isabout 0.5 μm or more, preferably about 0.8 μm.

Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 5, since the buffer layer 14 is usedas an etching stopper, an ordinary inexpensive bulk Si substrate can beused as compared with the SOI substrate, and the manufacturing cost canbe reduced.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the infrared imaging device in theembodiment of the invention. Basically it is same as explained above,except that a bulk Si substrate 10 is also used instead of the SOIsubstrate. Further in this example, an etching stop layer 19 formed of asilicon oxide film (SiO₂ film) or the like is provided. By using thisetching stop layer 19 and buffer layer 14 as etching stoppers, thehollow space 16 is formed by isotropic etching. The isotropic etching isperformed by a dry etching process using XeFe₂ or the like as etchinggas.

It is also possible to use a SON (silicon on nothing) substrate. Themethod of fabricating the SON substrate is disclosed by Ichiro Mizushimaet al. in Applied Physics, October 2000, p. 1187 (in Japanese, publishedby Japanese society of applied physics). By forming a trench in a bulkSi substrate and heating in hydrogen atmosphere at about 1100° C., anEmpty Space in Silicon (ESS) can be formed. By applying this technique,a hollow structure (hollow space) can be formed.

An example of a method of driving the infrared imaging device accordingto the embodiment of the invention will be explained by referring toFIG. 7 to FIG. 9. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the infraredimaging device including peripheral circuits such as driving circuit,FIG. 8 is a view showing signal waveforms of the circuits shown in FIG.7, and FIG. 9 is a view showing the driving principle of the infraredimaging device. In FIG. 8, the axis of abscissas is the time and theaxis of ordinates represents the voltage.

The resistance of the bolometer film varies with temperature changes dueto infrared irradiation. Optimization of reading pulse width, whenreading a signal corresponding to such resistance changes, is explainedby referring to FIG. 9. The pulse width is typically about 10 to 100μsec.

Schematically, (a) in FIG. 9 shows the reading current flowing in thebolometer film, (b) in FIG. 9 shows voltage changes of the bolometerfilm caused by the reading current, and (c) in FIG. 9 shows temperaturechanges of the bolometer film caused by the reading current.

When a current flows in the bolometer, the temperature (c) of thebolometer film gradually elevates by self-heating. Using a bolometerfilm of TCR<0, the voltage (b) applied between both ends of thebolometer film decreases with increasing temperature. The dotted line in(c) schematically shows temperature changes of the bolometer film in thecase of a continuous incidence of infrared ray into the pixel portion.The temperature rise based on infrared ray is dT_(IR). Assuming theinitial temperature (hold temperature) of the bolometer film to beT_(S), the temperature rise caused by self heating by reading currentpulse is dT_(S). In metal-insulator transition, for example as explainedlater in FIG. 11, the TCR is dependent on temperature. It is hencedesired to optimize the reading current pulse width such that thetemperature T_(P) where the absolute value of the TCR reaches the peakis the optimum temperature between T_(S) and T_(S)+dT_(S). The holdtemperature T_(S) varies with the reading current value and pulse width,thermal time constant of heat sensitive part (detecting portion), andambient temperature. The peak temperature T_(P) may fluctuate betweendevices or in a device. It is hence desired to adjust the readingcurrent pulse width for each device or for each row line in the device.A specific method will be explained below.

In FIG. 7, the basic structure of the pixel portion including thedetecting portion 41 using the bolometer film and MIS transistor 42, andthe basic structure of the select line 43 and read line (signal line) 44are as already explained. In this example, plural pixel portionsprovided in predetermined column are insensitive pixel column line(insensitive pixel group) 45. One method to make insensitive pixels isovercoating a metal reflection plate on the pixels to avoid incidence ofinfrared rays into the detecting portions 41.

The transistors 42 are selected sequentially by AND gates 53, eachoutputs operation result c of output b of a row select circuit 51 andoutput a of a comparator 52. The output of the comparator 52 isconnected also to the AND gates 54. Current sources 55 are connected tothe input portions of read lines (signal lines) 44, and transistors 56are connected to the output portions of the read lines. The outputs ofthe transistors 56 are connected to transistors 57, capacitors 58, andtransistors 59. The transistors 59 are sequentially selected by acontrol signal from a column select circuit 60.

Referring now to the timing chart shown in FIG. 8, the circuit operationin FIG. 7 is explained.

First, a reset signal V_(res) is applied to each transistor 57. As aresult, each capacitor 58 is charged with a power supply voltage V_(d)through each transistor 57 being turned on. Terminal voltage V_(ob) ofthe capacitor 58 corresponding to the insensitive pixel column line issupplied to the positive terminal of the comparator 52, and hence theoutput a of the comparator 52 becomes high level. A reference voltageV_(c) is supplied to the negative terminal of the comparator 52. Thisreference voltage V_(c) is predetermined for each device so that thepulse width of the read pulse c being output from the AND gate 53 may beoptimized.

In a specific time after supply of reset signal V_(res), select signal bis supplied to the AND gate 53 from the row select circuit 51. A selectsignal V_(g) is supplied to the AND gate 54. The AND gate 53 outputs anAND signal (read pulse) c of output a of the comparator 52 and selectsignal b, and each transistor 42 of the corresponding row line is turnedon. The AND gate 54 outputs an AND signal of output a of the comparator52 and signal V_(g), and each transistor 56 is turned on. Consequently,a current is supplied to the bolometer film (detecting portion 41) fromthe current source 55 by way of the transistor 42. As a result, avoltage is produced at one terminal of the bolometer film, and thisterminal voltage is supplied to the capacitor 58 by way of thetransistors 42 and 56. At this time, depending on the incident amount ofinfrared ray in each detecting portion 41, the terminal voltage of thebolometer film varies. The temperature of the bolometer film graduallyrises by self-heating. In this example, since the TCR of the bolometerfilm is negative, the terminal voltage of the bolometer film decreasesgradually with increasing temperature. Accordingly, the output voltageV_(ob) of the transistor 57 corresponding to the insensitive pixelcolumn line decreases along with the lapse of time.

When the voltage V_(ob) becomes equal to the reference voltage V_(c),the output a of the comparator 52 changes from high level to low level.Therefore, the outputs of the AND gates 53 and 54 also change from highlevel to low level. As a result, the transistors 42 and 56 are turnedoff, and signal reading from the detecting portion 41 is terminated.Thus, each capacitor 58 is charged with a voltage corresponding to thevoltage signal from each detecting portion 41, that is, the voltagecorresponding to the incident amount of infrared ray to each detectingportion 41.

After the select signal b and V_(g) became low level, reading of thevoltage charged in the capacitor 58 is started. First, the column selectcircuit 60 supplies a select signal e to the corresponding transistor59, and the charged voltage of the corresponding capacitor 58 is readout through the selected transistor 59. In succession, the column selectcircuit 60 supplies a select signal f to the corresponding transistor59, and the charged voltage of the corresponding capacitor 58 is readout through the selected transistor 59. Similarly, thereafter, eachcapacitor voltage for one row line is read out sequentially.

When reading of capacitor voltage for one row line is over, a resetsignal V_(res) is applied again in each transistor 57, and the signalsare detected and read out similarly in the next line.

In this embodiment, by setting the reference voltage V_(c) of thecomparator 52 for each device, the read pulse width is optimized.Therefore, if the peak temperature of TCR fluctuates between devices orbetween lines due to variations of characteristic of bolometer film, theinfrared ray can be detected near the peak temperature. Hence, even ifusing a bolometer film material narrow in a temperature range where alarge value of TCR is obtained, the infrared ray can be detectedsecurely at high precision.

Specific examples of this embodiment will be explained below.

EXAMPLE 1

A thin film of Sm_(1-x)A_(x)Ni_(y)O_(3-d) was fabricated by a molecularbeam epitaxy (MBE) method.

FIG. 10 schematically shows a configuration of a molecular beam epitaxyapparatus.

As shown in FIG. 10, gas in a vacuum chamber 81 is exhausted by acryopump. A substrate holder 82 is provided in the vacuum chamber 81,and a substrate 83 is placed on the substrate holder 82. The substrateholder 82 is heated by a heater 84.

Opposite to the substrate 83, plural Knudsen cells 85 are disposed, anda cell shutter 86 is provided with each Knudsen cell 85. Each Knudsencell 85 is filled with constituent element of thin film formed in thefollowing examples, that is, La, Al, Sm, Ni, Bi and Nd. Further, toobtain a thin oxide film, pure ozone gas (O₃ gas) stored in a liquidozone bath 87 is injected from a nozzle 88, and supplied to thesubstrate 83. To form a proper thin film of Sm_(1-x)A_(x)Ni_(y)O_(3-d),Ni³⁺ is needed, and a strong oxidizing condition is required. In thisexample, Ni³⁺ could be successfully produced by using pure ozone gaswhich has very strong oxidizing power. The substrate temperature was 500to 750° C. in the film forming process in this example. In the processof cooling to 200° C. after forming the film, ozone gas was suppliedcontinuously to oxidize sufficiently.

First of all, the film forming condition for obtaining a single phasefilm of SmNi_(y)O_(3-d) was studied. As a result of X-ray diffraction,at substrate temperature of 500° C., desired crystal structure was notobtained, and only an amorphous structure was produced. In the case ofepitaxial growth at substrate temperature of 550 to 750° C., a singlephase film of SmNi_(y)O_(3-d) was formed. When a single crystalsubstrate of LaAlO₃ (100) was used in this substrate temperature range,metal-insulator transition occurred, and a large value of |TCR| wasobtained.

FIG. 11 shows the temperature dependence of resistivity (a) andtemperature dependence of TCR (b) in the case of typical material. Inthis material, the metal-insulator transition was obtained at about 410K. The maximum absolute value of TCR exceeds 6%/K. This value is twotimes or more of the TCR value of the conventional vanadium oxide.

FIG. 12 shows the temperature dependence of TCR in the case of usingLaAlO₃ substrate. At substrate temperature of 550 to 750° C., |TCR|exceeded 3%/K.

The dependence of TCR on the ozone gas flux was studied. FIG. 13 showsthe dependence of TCR on the O₃ molecular flux/Ni flux ratio in the caseof using LaAlO₃ substrate. When the O₃ molecular flux was 30 times ormore of the Ni flux, |TCR| exceeded 3%/K. At this time, the O₃ molecularflux on the substrate was 1.7 to 2.2×10⁻⁵ mol.sec⁻¹.m⁻². The method ofoxidization includes, beside the ozone gas oxidizing method, a method ofgenerating oxygen plasma by high frequency discharge or electroncyclotron resonance, and oxidizing by using this oxygen plasma. In thiscase, when the active oxygen flux is 30 times or more of the Ni flux, ahigh value of |TCR| can be obtained.

When SrTiO₃ or NdGaO₃ was used as the substrate, metal-insulatortransition was not obtained, and the value of |TCR| was small. Bycontrast, in the case of depositing LaAlO₃ film on the substrate asunderlying layer about 100 nm by MBE method, a high value of |TCR| wasobtained same as in the case of LaAlO₃ single crystal substrate.

In a compound having perovskite structure, the composition ratio of siteA element and side B element is usually 1, but when a thin film isfabricated, the composition ratio is often deviated from 1. FIG. 14shows the Ni/Sm composition ratio dependence of TCR. When the Ni/Smcomposition ratio is 0.9 or less, the value of |TCR| drops. To obtain avalue of |TCR| of 3%/K or more, 0.9<y is needed inSm_(1-x)A_(x)Ni_(y)O_(3-d).

By replacing part of Sm with Bi, effects on T_(MI) were studied. As aresult of experiment, supposing Bi substitution amount to be x inSm_(1-x)Bi_(x)Ni_(y)O_(3-d), T_(MI) was found to be approximated by thefollowing formula.T _(MI)(K)=−1170x+403To be applicable to a non-cooled type sensor, T_(MI)>300 K should berequired. For this purpose, x must be less than 0.09. Assuming to holdthe device at temperature T_(S)=300 K, and considering self-heating ofbolometer film, 320 K≦T_(MI)<350 K is preferred. Hence, 0.045<x<0.071 isdesired.

In this example, Knudsen cells are used as molecular beam supply source,but an electron beam evaporation method may be also used as means ofmolecular beam source. A thin film can be also formed by a method ofsupplying molecular beam of organic metal from Knudsen cell or gassource nozzle. In the example, the thin film was formed by molecularbeam epitaxy method, but it may be also formed by sputtering method,laser ablation method, or chemical vapor deposition method (CVD method).In particular, the organic metal CVD method is preferable because it issuited to mass production.

EXAMPLE 2

A thin film of Ca₂RuO₄ was formed by RF sputtering method.

Using a Ca₂RuO₄ sinter target of 4 inches in diameter, RF power of 60 Wwas applied. The sputtering gas was a mixed gas of Ar 90%+O₂ 10%, theflow rate was 33 sccm, and the pressure was 1 Pa. The substratetemperature was room temperature.

Substrates were SrTiO₃ (100) single crystal substrate, NdGaO₃ (001)single crystal substrate, and LaAlO₃ (100) single crystal substrate. Asa result, only in the case of using LaAlO₃ substrate and annealing attemperature of 975° C. or more after forming the film, Ca₂RuO₄ having adesired K₂NiF₄ type crystal structure was obtained.

FIG. 15 shows the heat treatment temperature dependence of Ca₂RuO₄ (002)peak intensity of X-ray diffraction. When heated at 990° C. or more and1050° C. or less, Ca₂RuO₄ of excellent crystallinity was obtained. Ifheated at 1050° C. or more, Ca₃Ru₂O₇ was mixed as impurity phase. Whenheated at less than 990° C., the amount of CaRuO₃ impurity phaseincreased. When heated at 990° C. or more and 1050° C. or less,metal-insulator transition was obtained. FIG. 15 shows results of heattreatment in a mixed gas of 99.5% of nitrogen gas and 0.5% of oxygengas.

FIG. 16 shows the oxygen partial pressure dependence of Ca₂RuO₄ (002)peak intensity of X-ray diffraction. When the oxygen concentration was0.05 to 1%, Ca₂RuO₄ with excellent crystallinity was obtained. As aresult of measurement of temperature dependence of resistance,metal-insulator transition was obtained at the oxygen concentration of0.05% and 0.5%, but metal-insulator transition was not obtained atoxygen concentration of 1%. Therefore, a proper oxygen concentrationshould be 0.05% or more and less than 1%. FIG. 15 shows results of heattreatment at temperature of 1010° C.

FIG. 17 shows the temperature dependence of resistivity (a) andtemperature dependence of TCR (b) in the case of a typical material. Inthis material, the metal-insulator transition was obtained at about 248K. In this material, the heat treatment for obtaining a desired crystalstructure was conducted in 0.5% oxygen atmosphere for 30 minutes at1010° C. As a result of chemical analysis of this material, the atomicratio of Ca/Ru was 1.392. Owing to lack of Ca, the T_(MI) was lower.

To lower the T_(MI), it was found for the first time that it iseffective to lose part of Ca. In Ca_(2-x)RuO_(4-d), supposing the lossamount to be x, T_(MI) was found to be approximated by the followingformula.T _(MI)(K)=−179x+357To be applicable to a non-cooled type sensor, T_(MI)>300 K should berequired. For this purpose, the loss amount x must be less than 0.32.Assuming to hold the device at temperature T_(S)=300 K, and consideringself-heating of bolometer film, 320 K≦T_(MI)≦350 K is preferred. Hence,0.04≦x≦0.21 is desired.

To enhance the characteristic by decreasing the amount of CaRuO₃impurity phase, what is important is the process condition and samplestate before the heat treatment for obtaining a desired crystalstructure. To achieve metal-insulator transition by obtaining Ca₂RuO₄with excellent crystallinity, the thin film right after sputtering ispreferred to be amorphous. Accordingly, at the time of sputtering, it ispreferred to hold the substrate at room temperature without heating. Ifsputtering is performed with heating the substrate, finally, the amountof CaRuO₃ impurity phase increases, and the characteristic becomesworse. By low temperature annealing after sputtering, the amount ofCaRuO₃ of impurity phase is decreased. As a result, the crystallinity ofCa₂RuO₄ is improved, and a clear metal-insulator transition can beobtained. This low temperature annealing is preferred to be conducted at700 to 800° C., for more than 10 hours in 100% oxygen gas atmosphere. Ifthe annealing time is as short as 3 hours, effects are hardly obtained,and sufficient effects are obtained in about 24 hours.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. An imaging device comprising: a first select line;a first signal line crossing the first select line; a first pixelprovided at a portion corresponding to a crossing portion of the firstselect line and the first signal line, the first pixel comprising afirst bolometer film generating a first temperature detection signal,and a first switching element selected by a first select signal from thefirst select line and supplying the first temperature detection signalto the first signal line; a second signal line crossing the first selectline; a second pixel provided at a portion corresponding to a crossingportion of the first select line and the second signal line, the secondpixel comprising a second bolometer film generating a second temperaturedetection signal, and a second switching element selected by the firstselect signal and supplying the second temperature detection signal tothe second signal line; and a control circuit controlling a width of thefirst select signal in accordance with the second temperature detectionsignal.
 12. The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein the firstbolometer film does not detect infrared rays.
 13. The imaging deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the control circuit includes a comparatorcomparing a voltage of the second temperature detection signal with apredetermined voltage to generate the first select signal.
 14. Theimaging device according to claim 11, further comprising: a secondselect line crossing the first signal line and the second signal line; athird pixel provided at a portion corresponding to a crossing portion ofthe second select line and the first signal line, the third pixelcomprising a third bolometer film generating a third temperaturedetection signal, and a third switching element selected by a secondselect signal from the second select line and supplying the thirdtemperature detection signal to the first signal line; and a fourthpixel provided at a portion corresponding to a crossing portion of thesecond select line and the second signal line, the fourth pixelcomprising a fourth bolometer film generating a fourth temperaturedetection signal, and a fourth switching element selected by the secondselect signal and supplying the fourth temperature detection signal tothe second signal line; wherein the control circuit is configured tocontrol a width of the second select signal in accordance with thefourth temperature detection signal.
 15. The imaging device according toclaim 14, wherein the fourth bolometer film does not detect infraredrays.
 16. The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein a pluralityof first select lines cross a plurality of first signal lines and thesecond signal line, and a plurality of first pixels are provided atportions corresponding to crossing portions of the first select linesand the first signal lines, and a plurality of the second pixels areprovided at portions corresponding to crossing portions of the firstselect lines and the second signal line. 17-22. (canceled)
 23. Theimaging device according to claim 11, wherein each of the first andsecond bolometer films is made of a compound which undergoesmetal-insulator transition.
 24. The imaging device according to claim23, wherein the compound is expressed by RNiO_(3-d), where R is at leastone element selected from Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Bi, and d is a valueshowing deviation from stoichiometry.
 25. The imaging device accordingto claim 24, wherein the value of d ranges from −0.1, inclusive, to 0.2,inclusive.
 26. The imaging device according to claim 23, wherein thecompound is expressed by Ca_(2-x)Sr_(x)RuO_(4-d), where d is a valueshowing deviation from stoichiometry, and x ranges from 0, inclusive, to0.05, inclusive, or by Ca_(2-x′)RuO_(4-d′), where d′ is a value showingdeviation from stoichiometry, and x′ is greater than 0 and smaller than0.32.
 27. The imaging device according to claim 26, wherein the value ofd ranges from −0.1, inclusive, to 0.2, inclusive, and the value of d′ranges from −0.1, inclusive, to 0.2, inclusive.
 28. The imaging deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein a maximum absolute value of a temperaturecoefficient of resistance of each of the first and second bolometerfilms is more than 3%.
 29. The imaging device according to claim 11,wherein each of the first and second bolometer films is made of anepitaxial film.